CP24: estimated payments didn't match, and you have a credit

What a CP24 means

A CP24 means the IRS corrected your return because the estimated tax payments on it didn't match what was posted to your account, and you may have a credit as a result. The notice may cover other changes too. [1]source 1

Under federal law, a math or clerical error notice isn't a notice of deficiency. The IRS can assess the corrected tax right away, and you can ask it to abate that assessment within a set period after the notice. If you ask in time, the IRS must abate it, and any reassessment has to go through the normal deficiency process. [2]source 2

A credit is good news only if it's real. If the IRS credited a payment you didn't make, the refund isn't yours to keep.

Why people get one

• More estimated payments were posted than the return listed.
• A wrong figure was entered on the estimated tax line, or a payment was applied to the wrong account. [1]source 1

First steps

1. Compare the payments on the notice with your own records, including any prior-year payment the IRS applied. [1]source 1
2. Check your IRS online account, typed in yourself at irs.gov, to see the notice and your balance or payments.
3. If it's right, there's nothing to send. The IRS says the remaining refund should follow unless you owe other taxes or debts it must collect. [1]source 1
4. If the notice lists a payment you didn't make, call the number printed on your notice. The IRS says a refund sent by mistake has to be returned. [1]source 1
5. Update your own copy of the return, but don't mail it to the IRS. [1]source 1

What not to do

• Don't spend a refund you can't trace to a payment you made.
• Don't pay or send documents through a link or phone number in an unexpected email or text. Use irs.gov, typed in yourself.
• Don't let the date pass if you disagree. [1]source 1

Related notices

• Related CP23 The same kind of mismatch, but it leaves a balance due.
• Related CP11 A correction that leaves a balance due.
• Related CP12 A correction that changes a refund or creates one.

Keep reading

• Estimated tax
• Section 6213

Questions